PRISONERS' OPERA
The gym of Highdown Prison. The setting for a performance of Les Miserables to a packed audience. But no ordinary performance, as it was presented by the Prisoners and Staff of HMP Highdown and Pimlico Opera. There could be no better location to tell the story of Jean Valjean released from jail and his ardent jailor Javert, the tension between God and the Law and the prospect of redemption. The power of the tale was magnified by prisoners acting and singing many of the roles of the opera combined with the haunting music. No more so than when at the end of the performance the audience was asked to sit in our seats until the prisoners on the stage were taken, after a standing ovation, and locked up in their cells for the night. A musical and acting treat with powerful and emotional messages. Wow! Well done to the participating prisoners and prison staff and of course to Pimlico Opera who instigated these inspiring prison opera performances.